Unpacking system for an object, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, packed in an item of packaging, in particular a pouch

ABSTRACT

An unpacking system having a folding-out device for folding outwards an initially folded-in packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, and having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object. The item of packaging herein is in particular a pouch, and the object is in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The unpacking system furthermore has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction. The packaging portion in the stretching device is stretched parallel with the transportation direction. A filling system is disclosed having such an unpacking system, and methods are disclosed for folding outwards, for stretching, and for unpacking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/151,592, filed Oct. 4, 2018, and claims the priority of German patentapplication DE 10 2017 123 298.2, filed Oct. 6, 2017, and the priorityof German patent application DE 10 2017 123 387.3, filed Oct. 9, 2017,wherein the content of each application is herewith incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a stretching device for stretching anitem of packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object, wherein the item of packaging has aprojecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has atransportation installation for transporting the object in atransportation direction, a holding installation for holding theprojecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving theobject. The present application furthermore relates to a folding-outdevice for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging,in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular a pharmaceutical orcosmetic object, wherein the packaging portion initially is foldedinwards between a transportation installation and the item of packaging.The present application furthermore relates to an unpacking system whichhas a folding-out device and a stretching device. The presentapplication furthermore relates to a filling system having an unpackingsystem. The present application furthermore relates to a method forstretching an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object,in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The presentapplication furthermore relates to a method for folding outwards apackaging portion of an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for anobject, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The presentapplication furthermore relates to a method for unpacking an object froman item of packaging.

Filling systems having unpacking systems for unpacking objects, inparticular pharmaceutical and cosmetic objects, as well as devicesystems for stretching and severing a packaging portion, are known forexample from documents WO 2011/012658 A1 and DE 10 2007 027 878 A1.

Depending on the installation situation of the unpacking system, it ishowever often the case in practice that only a limited installationspace is available for the unpacking system.

It is therefore an object of the present application to provide animproved unpacking system for unpacking objects, in particularpharmaceutical or cosmetic objects, in particular for a filling system,and an improved method for unpacking. There is furthermore a demand foran improved stretching device for stretching a packaging portion of anitem of packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object, and for a method for stretching.There is furthermore a demand for a folding-out device for foldingoutwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging, in particular apouch, for an object, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object,and for a method for folding outwards.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, a stretching device for stretching an itemof packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is therefore proposed, wherein theitem of packaging has a projecting packaging portion. The stretchingdevice has a transportation installation for transporting the object ina transportation direction, a holding installation for holding theprojecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving theobject. The holding installation has at least two rollers which aredisposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction andwhich are configured for holding the projecting packaging portiontherebetween. The motion installation and/or the holding installationare/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportationdirection in order for the object and the holding installation to bemoved away from one another.

According to a second aspect, a method for stretching an item ofpackaging, in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed, wherein the item ofpackaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the object istransported in a transportation direction on a transportationinstallation. The method herein comprises the following method steps:

-   -   holding the projecting packaging portion by a holding        installation, wherein the holding installation has at least two        rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the        transportation direction, wherein the projecting packaging        portion is held between the at least two rollers; and    -   moving the object and/or the holding installation parallel with        the transportation direction in order for the object and the        holding installation to be moved away from one another.

The object is transported on the transportation installation. Thetransportation direction of the object corresponds to the movingdirection of the object on the transportation installation. The terms“upstream” and “downstream” herein are to be understood in relation tothe transportation direction.

The terms “longitudinal side” and “end side” are likewise to beunderstood in relation to the transportation direction. A “longitudinalside” herein is disposed so as to be substantially parallel with thetransportation direction. By contrast, an end side is disposed so as tobe substantially perpendicular to the transportation direction.

The spatial arrangement of elements hereunder is stated relative to thetransportation installation and to the item of packaging that istransported on the transportation installation, or relative to theobject that is transported on the transportation installation,respectively. The item of packaging has a longitudinal side that facesthe transportation installation, and a longitudinal side that faces awayfrom the transportation installation. The transportation installationlikewise has a side that faces the item of packaging/the object, and aside that faces away from the item of packaging/the object. Accordingly,elements can be disposed on that side of the transportation installationthat faces the item of packaging/the object, or on that side that facesaway from the item of packaging/the object.

On account of the projecting packaging portion by means of a holdinginstallation being held on an end side of the item of packaging, and theitem of packaging being moved in a direction that points away from theholding installation, the item of packaging is stretched at the endside. Since the rollers are disposed so as to be perpendicular to thetransportation direction, said rollers acquire a part of the packagingportion that is disposed on an end side of the item of packaging. Onaccount thereof, the item of packaging is stretched parallel with thetransportation direction and at the end side of the item of packaging.

On account of the stretching parallel with the transportation direction,significantly less space is required laterally to the transportationinstallation, since the stretching procedure is performed above thetransportation installation. Only individual components of the motioninstallation or of the holding installation can be disposed laterally tothe transportation installation. However, a majority of said componentsis preferably disposed on that side of the transportation installationthat faces away from the object or faces the latter.

On account of the stretching parallel with the transportation direction,the following devices of an unpacking system such as, for example, asevering device for severing the stretched packaging portion and aretrieving device for retrieving the object from the item of packagingcan furthermore likewise be disposed in the transportation directionwithout any additional repositioning of the packed object beingrequired.

According to a third aspect, a folding-out device for folding outwards apackaging portion of an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for anobject, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed.The folding-out device has a transportation installation fortransporting the object in a transportation direction, a liftinginstallation for raising the object, a holding installation for holdinga region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packagingportion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving theholding installation in a direction that points away from the packagingportion.

According to a fourth aspect, a method for folding outwards a packagingportion of an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object,in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed, whereinthe object on a transportation installation is transported in atransportation direction. The method herein comprises the followingmethod steps:

-   -   raising the object by a lifting installation;    -   holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to        the packaging portion by a holding installation; and    -   moving the holding installation in a direction that points away        from the packaging portion.

The packaging portion on one side is connected to the item of packagingat a connection point and, proceeding from the connection point, extendsalong the item of packaging up to a region on the longitudinal side ofthe item of packaging that faces or faces away from the transportationinstallation. The region that is adjacent to the packaging portion is tobe understood as such a region of the item of packaging that iscontiguous to the connection point between the packaging portion and theitem of packaging, and extends away from the packaging portion.

For example, the packaging portion initially can be partially disposedbetween the longitudinal side that faces the transportation installationand that side of the transportation installation that faces the item ofpackaging, and on account thereof is folded inwards between thetransportation installation and the item of packaging. The connectionpoint herein can be disposed on an end side of the item of packaging.The packaging portion in this instance can extend from the connectionpoint towards the transportation installation up to between thetransportation installation and the longitudinal side of the item ofpackaging that faces the transportation installation. In this case, oneregion of the end side that is on that side of the connection point thatpoints away from the transportation installation, and one region of thelongitudinal side that faces away from the transportation installationcorrespond to a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to thepackaging portion. Furthermore, the connection point can also bedisposed on the edge between an end side and that longitudinal side thatfaces the transportation installation. In this case, the end sidecorresponds to a region that is adjacent to the packaging portion.Furthermore, the connection point can also be disposed on the edgebetween an end side and the longitudinal side that faces away from thetransportation installation. In this case, the longitudinal side thatfaces away from the transportation installation corresponds to a regionthat is adjacent to the packaging portion. Furthermore, the connectionpoint can also be disposed on the longitudinal side that faces away fromthe transportation installation, or on the longitudinal side that facesthe transportation installation. The respective adjacent region in thisinstance corresponds to the region of the item of packaging that extendsfrom the connection point away from the packaging portion.

If the region that is adjacent to the packaging portion is now moved ordrawn away from the packaging portion, in particular away from theconnection point between the packaging portion and the item ofpackaging, a tensile force is exerted by way of the connection point onthe packaging portion. On account of said tensile force, the packagingportion is drawn out of the folded-in position thereof between thelongitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces the transportationinstallation and the transportation installation and is thus foldedoutwards. The adjacent region herein can be drawn so far until thepackaging portion has been completely folded outwards and is disposed ina desired position. The packaging portion in the desired positionextends preferably parallel with the transportation installation, inparticular parallel with the transportation direction, and away from theitem of packaging, in particular away from the connection point.

In one alternative embodiment the packaging portion initially ispartially folded inwards onto the longitudinal side of the item ofpackaging that faces away from the transportation installation. Theconnection point herein can be disposed on an end side of the item ofpackaging. The packaging portion in this instance can extend from theconnection point away from the transportation installation up to thelongitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces away from thetransportation installation. Accordingly, the adjacent region isdisposed on that side of the connection point that faces thetransportation installation. The folded-in packaging portion can thuslikewise be folded outwards by drawing the adjacent region away from theconnection point.

On account of the packaging portion being folded outwards, subsequentsteps in the unpacking method, or the handling of the item of packagingon downstream devices for stretching and/or severing the packagingportion, respectively, are significantly simplified. For example, astretching device can more readily acquire and stretch the packagingportion.

According to a fifth aspect, a folding-out device for folding outwards apackaging portion of an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for anobject, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed.The folding-out device has a transportation installation fortransporting the object in a transportation direction, a liftinginstallation for raising the object, and a detent installation. Thedetent installation has at least one roller which is disposed so as tobe perpendicular to the transportation direction and which is disposedon that side of the item of packaging that faces away from or faces thetransportation installation and forms a detent for the folded-inpackaging portion. The lifting installation and/or the detentinstallation are parallel configured so as to be movable/is with thetransportation direction in order for the object and the detentinstallation to be moved relative to one another.

According to a sixth aspect, a method for folding outwards a packagingportion of an item of packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object,in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed, whereinthe object on a transportation installation is transported in atransportation direction. The method herein comprises the followingmethod steps:

-   -   raising the object by a lifting installation;    -   first moving of the lifting installation relative to a detent        installation parallel with the transportation direction in such        a manner that the item of packaging at least in portions is        disposed on the detent installation;    -   bringing to bear a roller of the detent installation on a        longitudinal side of the item of packaging in order for a detent        for the packaging portion to be formed; and    -   second moving of the lifting installation relative to the detent        installation parallel with the transportation direction in such        a manner that the folded-in packaging portion is folded        outwards.

On account of the packaging portion being folded outwards, subsequentsteps in the unpacking method, or the handling of the item of packagingon downstream devices for stretching and/or severing the packagingportion, respectively, are significantly simplified. For example, astretching device can more readily acquire and stretch the packagingportion.

According to a seventh aspect, an unpacking system having a stretchingdevice according to the first aspect or one of the design embodimentsthereof, and having a folding-out device according to the third or fifthaspect or one of the design embodiments thereof, is proposed.

According to an eighth aspect, a method for unpacking an object, inparticular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, from an item ofpackaging, in particular a pouch, is proposed, wherein the object on atransportation installation is transported in a transportationdirection, wherein a packaging portion of the item of packaginginitially is folded inwards between the transportation installation andthe item of packaging. The method here in comprises the following methodsteps:

-   -   folding outwards the packaging portion by means of the method        according to the fourth or the sixth aspect or one of the design        embodiments thereof;    -   stretching the projecting packaging portion by means of the        method according to the second aspect or one of the design        embodiments thereof;    -   completely severing the projecting packaging portion; and    -   retrieving the object from the item of packaging.

In the case of the unpacking system described, and in the case of themethod for unpacking described, a packaging portion which initially isfolded inwards is folded outwards and subsequently stretched. Theindividual components of the stretching device and of the folding-outdevice herein are disposed in a compact and space-saving manner. Onaccount of the packaging portion being stretched parallel with thetransportation direction, a compact arrangement of the subsequenthandling devices such as, for example, a severing device and/or aretrieving installation is enabled.

According to a ninth aspect, an unpacking system for unpacking an itemof packaging, in particular a pouch, for an object, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object, is proposed, wherein the item ofpackaging has a projecting packaging portion which is disposed on anupstream end side of the item of packaging. The unpacking system has atransportation installation for transporting the object in atransportation direction, and a holding installation for holding theprojecting packaging portion. The holding installation has at least tworollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to thetransportation direction and which are configured for folding outwardsand/or stretching the projecting packaging portion.

According to a tenth aspect, a method for unpacking an object, inparticular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, from an item ofpackaging (12), in particular a pouch, wherein the object (14) on atransportation installation (18) is transported in a transportationdirection (20), wherein the item of packaging (12) has a folded-inpackaging portion (16) which is disposed on an upstream end side (28′)of the item of packaging (12) and extends on a longitudinal side (30′,30′″) that faces of faces away from the transportation installation(18). The method (200) herein comprises the following method steps:

-   -   bringing to bear two rollers which are disposed so as to be        perpendicular to the transportation direction and so as to be        mutually parallel on a longitudinal side of the item of        packaging that faces the transportation installation, and on a        longitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces away from        the transportation installation, in order for a detent for the        projecting packaging portion to be formed in such a manner that        the projecting packaging portion is folded outwards;    -   holding the projecting packaging portion between the two rollers        in order for the projecting packaging portion to be stretched;    -   severing the projecting packaging portion; and    -   retrieving the object from the item of packaging.

In the case of such an unpacking system and method for unpacking, nolifting installation or motion installation is required. Instead, thepacked objects are moved further along on the transportationinstallation, in particular at a consistent speed. This unpacking systemand the method for unpacking thus represent a particularly space-savingsolution, since significantly fewer components are required.

In the case of this method it is however mandatory that the projectingpackaging portion is disposed on an upstream end side of the item ofpackaging.

According to an eleventh aspect, a filling system having an unpackingsystem according to the seventh and the ninth aspect or one of thedesign embodiments thereof is proposed.

The packed objects have to be unpacked prior to further processing, forexample filling or refilling in a filling station. The unpacking systemdescribed provides a simple and compact solution therefor, which also isimplementable in a tight installation space.

In one refinement of the stretching device it can be provided that theprojecting packaging portion in relation to the transportation directionis disposed on one of the end sides of the item of packaging, inparticular wherein the packaging portion in relation to thetransportation direction is disposed on a downstream end side.

On account of the disposal of the projecting packaging portion on theend sides, it can be avoided that the projecting packaging portionprotrudes laterally beyond the width of the transportation installation.It is avoided in particular on account thereof that the projectingpackaging portion catches on construction components or objects whichare disposed laterally to the transportation installation.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the projecting packaging portion projects from the item ofpackaging so as to be substantially parallel with the transportationdirection.

On account thereof, the retrieval of the projecting packaging portionbetween the lateral rollers of the holding installation is facilitated.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the motion installation is configured such that the latter holdsthe item of packaging on at least one longitudinal side.

To this end, the object can, for example, be in contact with thelongitudinal side thereof that faces, with the motion installation, thetransportation installation, and in particular can be disposed on themotion installation. In the case of a sufficiently high weight of theobject, the static friction is sufficient in order for the objectconjointly with the item of packaging for stretching to be moved awayfrom the holding installation which holds the packaging portion, withoutthe item of packaging overcoming the static friction and the tensileforce exerted being reduced, for example by slippage on the motioninstallation, or being completely stopped, for example when the objectleaves the motion installation, in particular when the object drops fromthe motion installation. Furthermore, the motion installation can holdthe object on two or more sides, for example by means of a clampingforce, which is exerted on two opposite longitudinal sides. The clampingforce is herein to be chosen sufficiently high in order to stretch theitem of packaging.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the motion installation is disposed on that side of thetransportation installation that faces away from the item of packaging.

On account of disposal on that side of the transportation installationthat faces away from the item of packaging, the space requirement of thestretching device laterally to the transportation installation isreduced.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the motion installation has at least one clamping installation orsuction installation for holding the item of packaging.

The item of packaging is fixed to the motion installation on account ofthe clamping installation or the suction installation. Forces which aredirected so as to be substantially parallel with the transportationdirection act during the stretching of the item of packaging. Theclamping installation or the suction installation is in particularprovided in order for the object to remain fixed in terms of theposition thereof on the motion installation and cannot slip on accountof a tensile force which arises in the stretching procedure and which iscounter to the movement direction of the motion installation.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the item of packaging isheld on the motion installation in a purely mechanical manner byfriction, that is to say in particular by virtue of the weight of theobject which pushes the item of packaging onto the transportationinstallation.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the at least two rollers are disposed so as to be mutuallyparallel.

The projecting packaging portion for stretching is to be disposedbetween the two rollers. If the two rollers are disposed so as to beparallel, placing the projecting packaging portion between the tworollers is simplified.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the at least two rollers are disposed downstream of the motioninstallation, wherein the motion installation is configured for movingthe object counter to the transportation direction and away from theholding installation.

The objects typically are transported in the packed as well as theunpacked state in a transportation direction on a transportationinstallation. It is therefore advantageous for the objects to beretrieved from the item of packaging in the transportation direction. Ifthe projecting packaging portion is now stretched in the transportationdirection, in particular wherein the packaging portion is disposed on adownstream end side of the item of packaging, the subsequent operationalsteps such as opening the item of packaging are facilitated since, onaccount thereof, the item of packaging can be opened on the downstreamend side without the item of packaging and the object having to berotated on the transportation installation.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the at least two rollers are rotatably mounted.

The projecting packaging portion for stretching is disposed between theat least two rollers in order for the at least two rollers to be able tohold the projecting packaging portion. For disposal, the projectingpackaging portion is moved between the at least two rollers. If the atleast two rollers now are rotatably mounted, the rollers in thedisposing action can conjointly rotate in the movement direction of theprojecting packaging portion in order for the disposal of the projectingpackaging portion between the rollers to be facilitated.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the at least two rollers are configured for drawing in therebetweenthe projecting packaging portion.

If the projecting packaging portion comes into contact with the rollers,the rollers in this instance are movable in such a manner that saidrollers therebetween convey the packaging portion to the correctposition. On account thereof, the disposal of the projecting packagingportion between the rollers is in particular furthermore simplified.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the holding installation has a rotary roller drive installation forrotating the at least two rollers.

The rotary roller driving installation can drive the rollers in such amanner that said rollers therebetween draw in the projecting packagingportion. On account thereof, the disposal of the projecting packagingportion between the rollers is in particular further simplified.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the rotary roller drive installation is configured for rotating theat least two rollers in mutually opposite running directions.

On account of the rollers being rotated in opposite directions, thedrawing-in of the projecting packaging portion between the rollers issimplified. The holding installation preferably has exactly two rollers,wherein the exactly two rollers are driven in opposite runningdirections by the rotary roller drive installation.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the at least two rollers are movable relative to one another, inparticular wherein the two rollers are configured for jammingtherebetween the projecting packaging portion.

On account of the mutually relative movement the spacing between therollers is capable of being set in a variable manner. It is advantageousherein for the relative mutual spacing of the rollers to be large whenthe projecting packaging portion is being introduced between therollers. As soon as the projecting packaging portion is disposed betweenthe rollers, the relative mutual spacing of the rollers can be decreasedin such a manner that the projecting packaging portion is jammed betweenthe rollers.

In one further refinement of the stretching device it can be providedthat the holding installation has a translatory roller driveinstallation for moving the at least two rollers.

The translatory roller drive installation moves the rollers inparticular in a mutually relative manner. The translatory roller driveinstallation can thus set the relative mutual spacing of the rollers inan arbitrary manner.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird aspect it can be provided that the holding installation isconfigured such that the latter holds the item of packaging on alongitudinal side that faces away from the transportation installation.

The packaging portion initially is folded inwards between thetransportation installation and a longitudinal side of the item ofpackaging that faces the transportation installation. If the holdinginstallation now engages the item of packaging on the longitudinal sidethat faces away from the transportation direction and draws the item ofpackaging in a direction that points away from the packaging portion,the packaging portion is thus folded outwards in a simple manner. Thepackaging portion herein is preferably connected to the remainder of theitem of packaging on a downstream end side of the item of packaging. Onaccount thereof, the packaging portion in a folded-out state projectsfrom the downstream end side of the item of packaging. The holdinginstallation preferably holds the item of packaging in a downstreamregion of the longitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces awayfrom the transportation installation. For folding outwards, the holdinginstallation in this instance is moved to an upstream region of thelongitudinal side that faces away from the transportation direction.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird aspect it can be provided that the holding installation isdisposed on that side of the transportation installation that faces theobject.

On account of the holding installation being disposed on that side ofthe transportation installation that faces the object, the spacerequirement of the folding-out device laterally to the transportationinstallation is reduced.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird aspect it can be provided that the holding installation has atleast one clamping installation or suction installation for holding theitem of packaging.

On account of a clamping installation or suction installation, holdingthe item of packaging on an adjacent region can be implemented in asimple manner. The holding installation herein preferably has a suctioninstallation.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird aspect it can be provided that the holding installation is movableparallel with the transportation direction, in particular in order forthe packaging portion to be folded outwards, in particular wherein theholding-installation drive installation 68 is configured for moving theholding installation parallel with the transportation direction 20 andin particular counter thereto.

If the packaging portion is disposed on one of the end sides of the itemof packaging and proceeding from the connecting point on the end side isfolded inwards between the transportation installation and thelongitudinal side that faces the transportation installation, a tensileforce in or counter to the transportation direction, that is to sayparallel with the transportation direction, that engages on thelongitudinal side that faces away from the transportation installationis required in order for the packaging portion to be folded outwards.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird and the fifth aspect it can be provided that the liftinginstallation is disposed on that side of the transportation installationthat faces away from the item of packaging.

On account thereof, the lifting installation has to be designed onlysuch that said lifting installation engages the object including theitem of packaging on the longitudinal side that faces the transportationinstallation and lifts said object including the item of packaging.Clamping, gripping, or holding the item of packaging and the object canbe advantageous herein but is not mandatory when the static frictionbetween the item of packaging and the lifting installation issufficiently high. Furthermore, in the case of such a disposal of thelifting installation on that side of the transportation installationthat faces away from the item of packaging, the space requirementlaterally to the transportation installation is reduced.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird and the fifth aspect it can be provided that a transportationplane of the transportation installation has at least one clearance,wherein the lifting installation is configured for engaging through theclearance in order for the object to be raised.

On account thereof, the manner in which a lifting installation which isdisposed on that side of the transportation installation that faces awayfrom the item of packaging can engage on the item of packaging and theobject on the longitudinal side that faces the transportationinstallation is implemented in a simple and compact manner.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird and the fifth aspect it can be provided that the liftinginstallation is configured for raising the transportation installation,in particular a transportation plane of the transportation installation,at least in the bearing region of the item of packaging on thetransportation plane, in order for the object to be raised.

On account thereof, it is implemented in a simple manner how the objectcan be raised by the lifting installation.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird and the fifth aspect it can be provided that the liftinginstallation is configured such that the latter holds the item ofpackaging on at least one longitudinal side.

Since the holding installation holds the item of packaging in thefolding-out procedure and herein is moved in a direction that pointsaway from the packaging portion, it can be advantageous for the liftinginstallation to hold the item of packaging in order for the object notto move on the lifting installation when being folded outwards.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thethird and the fifth aspect it can be provided that the liftinginstallation has at least one clamping installation or one suctioninstallation for holding the item of packaging.

On account of the clamping installation or the suction installation, theitem of packaging is fixed to the lifting installation. Forces which aredirected so as to be substantially parallel with the transportationdirection act while the item of packaging is folded outwards. Theclamping installation or the suction installation are in particularprovided so that the object remains fixed in the position thereof on thelifting installation and cannot slip in the movement direction of theholding installation on account of tensile forces that arise in thefolding-out procedure.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thefifth aspect it can be provided that the detent installation has exactlytwo rollers, wherein a first roller of the two rollers is disposed onthe longitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces thetransportation installation, and a second roller of the two rollers isdisposed on the longitudinal side of the item of packaging that facesaway from the transportation installation.

In unpacking systems it can readily happen that in the unpacking of aplurality of objects in succession, the projecting packaging portion,depending on the object, is folded inwards either on that side of theitem of packaging that faces the transportation installation or on thatside of the item of packaging that faces away from the transportationinstallation. On account of disposing in each case one roller on thatside of the item of packaging that faces the transportation installationand on that side of the item of packaging that faces away from thetransportation installation, it is ensured that always one roller canform a detent for the projecting and folded-in packaging portion.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thefifth aspect it can be provided that the rollers are movable relative toone another.

It is achieved on account thereof that the two rollers initially can bespaced apart such that the item of packaging can be guided throughbetween the rollers. Thereafter, the rollers can be brought to bear onthe item of packaging and roll on the contour in the longitudinaldirection of the item of packaging, so as on account thereof tocompletely fold outwards the folded-in packaging portion and to alignthe latter in the longitudinal direction.

In one further refinement of the folding-out device according to thefifth aspect it can be provided that the lifting installation has ahorizontal drive which is configured for moving the lifting installationparallel with the transportation direction, in particular counter to thetransportation direction.

On account of the movement of the lifting installation parallel with thetransportation direction, the object and the item of packaging are movedparallel with the transportation direction. If the folded-in packagingportion bears on the roller, said folded-in packaging portion is foldedoutwards on account of a movement of this type.

The objects typically are transported in the packed as well as theunpacked state in a transportation direction on a transportationinstallation. It is therefore advantageous for the objects to be able tobe retrieved from the item of packaging in the transportation direction.It is therefore advantageous for the packaging portion to be disposed ona downstream end side, to be folded outwards on account of a movement ofthe lifting installation counter to the transportation direction, andthus project in a downstream manner. On account thereof, opening theitem of packaging is enabled on a downstream end of the item ofpackaging.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the transportationinstallation is configured for transporting the object from thefolding-out device to the stretching device.

The folding-out device and the stretching device typically are disposedin succession in a downstream manner, but herein do not have to bedirectly successive. The two devices herein can thus also be disposed soas to be locationally spaced apart from one another. It can therefore beadvantageous for the transportation installation to transport the itemsof packaging having a folded-out packaging portion to the stretchingdevice.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the unpackingsystem has first support holders which are movable perpendicularly toand parallel with the transportation direction and which configure thelifting installation and the motion installation.

By virtue of the spatial restrictions for the unpacking system, and inorder for the transportation path between individual devices of theunpacking system to be minimized, it can be advantageous for thefolding-out device and the stretching device to be disposed so as to beas close to one another as possible, in particular wherein the twodevices are disposed at the same location. It can therefore beadvantageous for a movable support holder to configure the liftinginstallation of the folding-out device as well as the motioninstallation of the stretching device. It is thus possible for thefolding-out device and the stretching device to be disposed so as to beas close to one another as possible.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to the ninthaspect it can be provided that the unpacking system has second supportholders which are movable perpendicularly to and parallel with thetransportation direction and which configure the holding installationand the detent installation.

It is enabled on account thereof that the rollers of the detentinstallation and the rollers of the holding installation are identical.This is advantageous in particular when the folding-out device and thestretching device are to be disposed as close as possible to oneanother. On account thereof, it is in particular possible for theoperational steps of folding outwards and of stretching to be carriedout in direct succession. The rollers to this end can be brought to bearon the two sides of the item of packaging, wherein one of the tworollers forms a detent for the folded-in packaging portion. Thepackaging portion can be folded outwards on account of a relativemovement between the support holder and the object. The rollers in thisinstance can hold the projecting packaging portion and stretch thelatter on account of a further relative movement, or on account of beingdrawn in between the rollers.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect, it can be provided that the transportationinstallation ahead of the folding-out device has a first deflectionportion which causes a first directional change of the transportationdirection, in particular wherein the first directional change is 90°.

By virtue of spatial restrictions in industrial sheds and of therestricted space for devices which can be disposed along atransportation installation, it may be impossible for the transportationinstallation to be able to run in a straight line. The transportationinstallation therefore preferably has deflection portions which cause adirectional change of the transportation direction. The directionalchanges herein can assume any arbitrary value. In order for an ideallymutually symmetrical arrangement of all components to be achieved, it isadvantageous for the directional change to be substantially 90°.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the unpackingsystem furthermore has a severing device for completely severing theprojecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging.

The severing device is disposed downstream of the stretching device. Onaccount of the packaging portion protruding and being stretched, onaccount of which the packaging portion in particular projects far fromthe item of packaging, the severing of the packaging portion by asevering device is facilitated. The severing device herein can have aholding installation for holding the projecting and stretched packagingportion, in order for the packaging portion to be fixedly held duringthe severing. However, said holding installation is not mandatory sincethe packaging portion on account of the stretching process projects farfrom the item of packaging. The severing device can preferably bedisposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect, it can be provided that the severingdevice has a cutter, a laser, or a thermal separation method forcompletely severing the packaging portion.

Holding the packaging portion in a separate manner is not required inparticular in the case of a laser or of a thermal separation method. Aseparate holding installation can in this instance be of advantage whenthe severed packaging portion is discarded in a targeted manner by meansof the holding installation.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the severing devicehas a retrieving installation for retrieving the object from the item ofpackaging.

The retrieving installation herein can have holding means, for example aclamping installation, for holding the item of packaging, in particularon a side that is opposite the open side of the item of packaging. Theretrieving installation can furthermore have a gripping installation forremoving the object from the item of packaging. Alternatively, the itemof packaging can be drawn away from the object by means of a grippinginstallation, in order for the item of packaging to be removed from theobject.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the severing devicehas a discarding installation which is configured for discarding thesevered packaging portion and the remainder of the item of packaging.

The discarding device herein can have one or a plurality of gripperswhich moves/move the packaging parts away from the severing device. Thediscarding installation can also have a conveyor belt or anothertransportation installation which conveys the remainders of packagingaway from the severing device. To this end, grippers can be configuredherein for placing the remainders of packaging onto the conveyor belt.Alternatively, the discarding installation could also be configured bymeans of a suction installation which suctions the remainders ofpackaging and thus transports the latter away from the severing device.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the transportationinstallation is configured for transporting the object from thestretching device to the severing device, in particular wherein thetransportation installation between the stretching device and thesevering device has a second deflection portion which causes a seconddirectional change of the transportation direction, in particularwherein the second directional change is 90°.

By virtue of the spatial arrangement of the device it can beadvantageous for the stretching device and the severing device to beplaced so as to be mutually separate in spatial terms. On accountthereof, it becomes necessary for the objects including the item ofpackaging to be moved from the stretching device to the severing device.The transportation installation which can run between the stretchingdevice and the severing device offers one possibility for transportingthe object from the stretching device to the severing device. In oneadvantageous refinement, the severing device and the stretching devicein relation to the transportation direction can be disposed at a mutualangle. This is of importance in particular when the available space, forinstance in an industrial shed in which the packaging system isdisposed, is limited. In this case it is advantageous for thetransportation installation to have a deflection portion in which thetransportation direction is changed.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the transportationinstallation is configured for transporting the object away from thesevering device, in particular wherein the transportation installationupstream of, in, or downstream of the severing device has a thirddeflection portion which causes a third directional change of thetransportation direction, in particular wherein the third directionalchange is 90°.

A continuous transportation installation which transports the object toall devices and away from all devices is thus provided. By virtue ofspatial restrictions in industrial sheds and of the restricted space fordevices which may be disposed along a transportation installation, itmay be impossible for the transportation installation to run in astraight line. The transportation installation therefore preferably hasthe third deflection portion which causes a directional change of thetransportation direction. The directional change herein can assume anyarbitrary value. In order for an ideally mutually symmetricalarrangement of all components to be achieved it is advantageous for thedirectional change to be substantially 90°.

In one further refinement of the unpacking system according to theseventh and the ninth aspect it can be provided that the transportationinstallation is configured for transporting the unpacked objects fromthe severing device into a cleanroom.

In particular in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sector in whichunpacking systems are used, deliveries of such packed objects arrive ina non-sterile region. Unpacking is then carried out in the non-sterileregion. It is therefore advantageous for the severing device to bedisposed so as to be as close as possible to a cleanroom. It istherefore advantageous for the transportation installation downstream ofthe severing device to run directly into a cleanroom without the objectshaving to be transferred to another transportation installation,transported to another operational step onto another device in thenon-sterile region, or transported across a vast distance.

In one further refinement of the method for stretching it can beprovided that in the step of moving a motion installation holds the itemof packaging on at least one longitudinal side.

To this end, the object can, for example, be in contact with thelongitudinal side thereof that faces, with the motion installation, thetransportation installation, and in particular can be disposed on themotion installation. In the case of a sufficiently high weight of theobject, the static friction is sufficient in order for the objectconjointly with the item of packaging for stretching to be moved awayfrom the holding installation which holds the packaging portion, withoutthe item of packaging overcoming the static friction and the tensileforce exerted being reduced, for example by slippage on the motioninstallation, or being completely stopped, for example when the objectleaves the motion installation, in particular when the object drops fromthe motion installation. Furthermore, the motion installation can holdthe object on two or more sides, for example by means of a clampingforce, which is exerted on two opposite longitudinal sides. The clampingforce is herein to be chosen sufficiently high in order to stretch theitem of packaging.

In one further refinement of the method for stretching it can beprovided that the projecting packaging portion in relation to thetransportation direction is disposed on the downstream end side, whereinin the step of moving the object is moved counter to the transportationdirection and away from the holding installation.

The objects typically are transported in the packed as well as theunpacked state in a transportation direction on the transportationinstallation. It is therefore advantageous for the objects to be able tobe retrieved from the item of packaging in the transportation direction.If the projecting packaging portion is now stretched in thetransportation direction, in particular wherein the packaging portion isdisposed on a downstream end side of the item of packaging, thesubsequent operational steps such as opening the item of packaging arefacilitated since, on account thereof, the item of packaging can beopened on the downstream end side without the item of packaging and theobject having to be rotated on the transportation installation.

In one further refinement of the method for stretching it can beprovided that in the step of holding the at least two rollerstherebetween draw in the projecting packaging portion.

If the projecting packaging portion comes into contact with the rollers,the rollers are moved in such a manner that the latter therebetweenconvey the packaging portion to the correct position. On accountthereof, the disposal of the projecting packaging portion between therollers is in particular further simplified.

In one further refinement of the method for stretching it can beprovided that in the step of holding the at least two rollers arerotated in mutually opposite directions, on account of which theprojecting packaging portion is drawn in between the at least tworollers.

The drawing-in of the projecting packaging portion between the rollersis simplified on account of the counter-rotation of the rollers. Theholding installation preferably has exactly two rollers, wherein theexactly two rollers are driven in opposite running directions.

In one further refinement of the method for stretching it can beprovided that in the step of holding the at least two rollers are movedrelative to one another, on account of which the at least two rollerstherebetween jam the projecting packaging portion.

The spacing between the rollers becomes capable of being set in avariable manner on account of the mutually relative movement. It isadvantageous herein for the relative mutual spacing of the rollers to belarge when the projecting packaging portion is introduced between therollers. As soon as the projecting packaging portion is disposed betweenthe rollers, the relative mutual spacing of the rollers can be decreasedin such a manner that the projecting packaging portion is jammed betweenthe rollers.

In one further refinement of the method for folding outwards accordingto the fourth aspect it can be provided that in the step of holding theholding installation holds the item of packaging on a longitudinal sidethat faces away from the transportation installation.

The packaging portion initially is folded inwards between thetransportation installation and a longitudinal side of the item ofpackaging that faces the transportation installation. If the holdinginstallation now engages the item of packaging on the longitudinal sidethat faces away from the transportation installation and draws the itemof packaging in a direction that points away from the packaging portion,the packaging portion is thus folded outwards in a simple manner. Thepackaging portion herein is preferably connected to the remainder of theitem of packaging on a downstream end side of the item of packaging. Onaccount thereof, the packaging portion in a folded-out state projectsfrom the downstream end side of the item of packaging. The holdinginstallation preferably holds the item of packaging in a downstreamregion of the longitudinal side of the item of packaging that faces awayfrom the transportation installation. For folding outwards, the holdinginstallation in this instance is moved to an upstream region of thelongitudinal side that faces away from the transportation installation.

In one further refinement of the method for folding outwards accordingto the fourth aspect it can be provided that in the step of moving theholding installation is moved parallel with the transportation directionand in particular counter thereto, on account of which the packagingportion is folded outwards.

If the packaging portion is disposed on one of the end sides of the itemof packaging and proceeding from the connecting point on the end side isfolded inwards between the transportation installation and thelongitudinal side that faces the transportation installation, a tensileforce in or counter to the transportation direction, that is to sayparallel with the transportation direction, is advantageous in order forthe packaging portion to be folded outwards.

In one further refinement of the method for folding outwards accordingto the fourth and the sixth aspect it can be provided that in the stepof raising the lifting installation holds the item of packaging on atleast one longitudinal side.

Since the holding installation holds the item of packaging in thefolding-out procedure and herein is moved in a direction that pointsaway from the packaging portion, it can be advantageous for the liftinginstallation to hold the item of packaging in order for the object notto move on the lifting installation when being folded outwards.

It is to be understood that the afore-mentioned features and those yetto be explained hereunder can be used not only in the combination statedin each case, but also in other combinations or individually, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and will beexplained in more detail in the description hereunder. In the drawing:

FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a stretching device;

FIG. 1B shows an enlarged section of the view of the stretching devicein FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of the stretching device in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the stretching device in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a method forstretching an item of packaging;

FIG. 5A shows an isometric illustration of the step for holding in themethod for stretching in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B shows an isometric illustration of the step for holding in themethod for stretching in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5C shows an isometric illustration of the step for holding in themethod for stretching in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5D shows an isometric illustration of the step of moving in themethod of stretching in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A shows an isometric illustration of an embodiment of afolding-out device;

FIG. 6B shows an enlarged fragment of the view of the folding-out devicein FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 shows a lateral view of the folding-out device in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the folding-out device in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a method forfolding outwards;

FIG. 10A shows an isometric illustration of the step for raising in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B shows an isometric illustration of the step for holding in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 9;

FIG. 100 shows an isometric illustration of the step for moving in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an embodiment of an unpacking system;

FIG. 12A shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of amethod for unpacking;

FIG. 12B shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of amethod for unpacking;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a fillingsystem;

FIG. 14A shows an isometric illustration of a further folding-outdevice;

FIG. 14B shows an enlarged fragment of the view of the folding-outdevice in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 shows a lateral view of the folding-out device in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of the folding-out device in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 17 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a furthermethod for folding outwards;

FIG. 18A shows an isometric illustration of the step for raising in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 17;

FIG. 18B shows an isometric illustration of the step for holding in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 18C shows an isometric illustration of the step for moving in themethod for folding outwards in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3 shows an embodiment of a stretching device 10.The stretching device 10 is configured for stretching an item ofpackaging 12. An object 14 is packed in the item of packaging 12. Theitem of packaging 12 has a packaging portion 16 which is disposed on theside of the item of packaging 12 and projects from the item of packaging12. The stretching device 10 has a transportation installation 18, aholding installation 22, and a motion installation 24.

The transportation installation 18 is configured for transporting theobject 14 in a transportation direction 20. The item of packaging 12 inrelation to the transportation direction 20 has an upstream end side 28″and a downstream end side 28′. The item of packaging 12 in relation tothe transportation direction 20 furthermore has four longitudinal sides30′, 30″, 30′″, and 30″″. A longitudinal side 30′ that faces thetransportation installation (18) herein faces the transportationinstallation 18 and is at least partially in contact with thetransportation installation 18. The item of packaging 12 by way of thelongitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportation installation (18)accordingly bears on the transportation installation 18. A longitudinalside 30′″ that faces away from the transportation installation (18)faces away from the transportation installation 18. Two laterallongitudinal sides 30″ and 30′″ are disposed laterally to thetransportation installation 18 and lie so as to be substantiallyperpendicular on the transportation installation 18. The projectingpackaging portion 16 is disposed on the downstream end side 28′ of theitem of packaging 12. The transportation installation 18 has atransportation plane 38 on which the object 14 and the item of packaging12 are transported.

The transportation installation 18 furthermore has clearances 40 on thetwo peripheries of the transportation plane 38 such that the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14 bear on the transportation installation18 and the transportation plane 38 only in a central region.

The holding installation 22 has two rollers 26′, 26″ that are disposedso as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction 18. The tworollers 26′, 26″ are disposed so as to be mutually parallel. The tworollers 26′, 26″ are disposed so as to be parallel with thetransportation plane 38. The holding installation 22 furthermore has arotary roller drive installation 34 for rotating the rollers 26′, 26″,and a translatory roller drive installation 36 for moving the rollers26′, 26″. The holding installation 22 furthermore has a roller supportinstallation 42 in which the rollers 26′, 26″ are disposed so as to berotatable and movable relative to one another. The roller supportinstallation 42 herein configures the rotary roller drive installation34 and the translatory roller drive installation 26. The rotary rollerdrive installation 34 can preferably drive the rollers 26′, 26″ inopposite directions. The projecting packaging portion can be drawn inbetween the rollers on account of the counter-rotation of the rollers26′, 26″. The translatory roller drive installation 36 is configured formoving the rollers relative to one another. This relative movement inthis exemplary embodiment is in particular performed perpendicularly tothe transportation plane 38. It can be particularly advantageous hereinfor the spacing between the rollers to be large when the projectingpackaging portion is being introduced, and for the rollers after theintroduction of the packaging portion to be moved towards one another inorder for the projecting packaging portion to be jammed therebetween.The invention herein is however not restricted to two rollers. Three,four, five or more rollers can also be disposed in an alternative designembodiment in order for the projecting packaging portion to be heldtherebetween.

The motion installation 24 is configured for moving the object 14conjointly with the item of packaging 12. The motion installation 24 tothis end has a vertical drive 44 for a vertical movement that isperpendicular to the transportation plane 38, and a horizontal drive 46for a movement that is parallel with the transportation plane 38, inparticular parallel with the transportation direction 20. The motioninstallation 24 in the embodiment illustrated furthermore has a clampinginstallation 32 which is configured for jamming therebetween the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14. The clamping installation 32 to this endhas lifting elements 48′, 48″, and a detent element 50. The liftingelements 48′, 48″ are disposed such that said lifting elements 48′, 48″in the case of a vertical movement that is perpendicular to thetransportation plane 38 are moved through the two clearances 40 of thetransportation plane 38. The lifting elements 48′, 48″ have a contactface 52 which comes into contact with the longitudinal side 30′ of theitem of packaging 12 that faces the transportation installation (18).The contact face 52 herein, in particular in an upstream region of thelongitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportation installation (18)comes to bear on the longitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportationinstallation (18). The vertical drive 44 is configured for moving thelifting elements 48′, 48″ perpendicularly to the transportation plane38. The object 14 conjointly with the item of packaging 12 is thusmovable perpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The detentelement 50 has a bearing face 54 on which the item of packaging 12 byway of the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18) comes to bear when clamped. The bearingface 54 herein comes to bear on the longitudinal side 30′″ that facesaway from the transportation installation (18) in particular in anupstream region of the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18). On account thereof, the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14 are held between the lifting elements48′, 48″, and the detent element 50. The motion installation 24furthermore has a frame 56 which includes the detent element 50 andconnects the detent element 50 to the remaining components of the motioninstallation 24, said remaining components largely being disposed onthat side of the transportation installation (18) that faces away fromthe item of packaging. The frame 56, proceeding from the transportationplane 38, has a height 57′ which is greater than a height 13′ of theitem of packaging 12. On account thereof, it can be avoided that theitem of packaging 12 when transported on the transportation plane 18comes into contact with the detent element 50, in particular scrapesalong the latter or catches on the latter. Contact between the item ofpackaging 12 and the detent element 50 is established only when the itemof packaging 12 by way of the lifting elements 48′, 48″ is movedvertically away from the transportation plane 38 and comes to bear onthe detent element 50. The frame 56 furthermore has a width 57″ which isgreater than a width 13″ of the item of packaging 12 and is greater thana width 19 of the transportation installation 18. It can be avoided onaccount thereof that the item of packaging 12 when transported laterallycomes into contact with the frame 56, in particular scrapes along thelatter or catches on the latter.

The horizontal drive 46 of the motion installation 24 is configured formoving the item of packaging 12 and the object 14 parallel with thetransportation plane 38, in particular parallel with the transportationdirection 20. The horizontal drive 46 herein moves the lifting elements48′, 48″ as well as the frame 56 having the detent element 50 in thehorizontal direction. It is enabled on account thereof that the item ofpackaging is simultaneously clamped by the clamping installation 32while said item of packaging is moved parallel with the transportationplane 38, in particular parallel with the transportation direction 20.

The motion installation 24 can be configured for moving the object 14and the item of packaging 12 towards the rollers 26′, 26″ in order forthe projecting packaging portion 16 to be guided through between the tworollers 26′, 26″. A central plane 58 which lies so as to be parallelwith the transportation plane and which is equidistant from the rollers26′, 26″ lies between the two rollers 26′, 26″. In one advantageousdesign embodiment, the projecting packaging portion 16 while beingclamped in the clamping installation 32 of the motion installation 24 isdisposed such that said projecting packaging portion 16 lies in thecentral plane 58. On account thereof, it is achieved in a simple mannerthat the projecting packaging portion 16 can be guided through theintermediate space between the two rollers 26′, 26″. If the projectingpackaging portion 16 is not disposed in the central plane 58, therollers 26′, 26″ can be mutually spaced further apart by means of thetranslatory roller drive installation 36, in order for a largerintermediate space, through which the projecting packaging portion 16can be guided, to be generated between the rollers 26′, 26″. In onealternative design embodiment, it can be provided that the rollers 26′,26″ are movable not only relative to one another but also in a conjointparallel manner perpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. Onaccount thereof it is enabled that the central plane 58 which liesbetween the rollers 26′, 26″ can be displaced at the height of theprojecting packaging portion 16.

Alternatively or additionally to the embodiment of a stretching device10 described in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3, it can be provided that, insteadof or in addition to the motion installation 24, the holdinginstallation 22 is movable parallel with the transportation direction20. To this end, the holding installation 22 can have a horizontaldrive, for example, which can move the holding installation 22 parallelwith the transportation direction 20. On account thereof, the object 14and the holding installation 22 are moved away relative to one another,and the packaging portion 16 on account thereof can be likewisestretched.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a method 160 for stretching an item ofpackaging 12, in particular a pouch, for an object 14, in particular apharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The stretching device 10 which isdescribed in FIGS. 1A to 3 is in particular suitable for carrying outthe method 160 for stretching. The item of packaging 12 to be stretchedherein has a projecting packaging portion 16. The object 14 istransported in a transportation direction 20 on a transportationinstallation 18. The individual method steps will be described in moredetail hereunder.

In a first step 162 the projecting packaging portion 16 is held by aholding installation 22. The holding installation 22 has two rollers26′, 26″ that are disposed so as to be perpendicular to thetransportation direction 20. The projecting packaging portion 16 is heldbetween the two rollers 26′, 26″. The invention herein is however notrestricted to two rollers. Three, four, five or more rollers can also bedisposed in an alternative design embodiment in order for the projectingpackaging portion to be held therebetween.

In a second step 164 the object 14 is moved away from the holdinginstallation 22 and parallel with the transportation installation 20.The projecting packaging portion 16 is stretched in this movement, sincesaid projecting packaging portion 16 is held between the rollers 26′,26″.

Alternatively or additionally, in the second step 164 the holdinginstallation 22 can also be moved parallel with the transportationdirection 20 and away from the object 14. The projecting packagingportion 16 is likewise stretched in this movement, since said projectingpackaging portion 16 is held between the rollers 26′, 26″.

In the first step of moving 164 the item of packaging 12 is preferablyheld on at least one longitudinal side 30′, 30″, 30′″, 30″″ by a motioninstallation 24. The motion installation 24 can be configured inparticular as such a motion installation as has been described in thestretching device 10 in FIGS. 1A to 3.

The projecting packaging portion 16 in relation to the transportationdirection 20 is preferably disposed on the downstream end side 28′. Theobject 14 herein in the second step of moving 164 is moved counter tothe transportation direction 20 and away from the holding installation22.

The rollers 26′, 26″ in the step of holding 162 are preferably rotatedin opposite directions, on account of which the projecting packagingportion 16 is drawn in between the rollers 26′, 26″.

The rollers 26′, 26″ in the step of holding 162 are preferably moved ina relative manner towards one another, on account of which the rollers26′, 26″ therebetween jam the projecting packaging portion 16.

FIGS. 5a to 5d show an isometric illustration of the individual methodsteps of the method 160 for stretching an item of packaging 12, saidmethod 160 being described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5a herein shows a first part-step of the step 162 of holding,wherein a downstream region of the projecting packaging portion 16 isdisposed between the rollers 26′, 26″. The downstream region of thepackaging portion 16 herein is preferably disposed between the rollers26′, 26″ in that the motion installation 24 moves the item of packaging12 parallel with the transportation direction 20 towards the rollers andintroduces the projecting packaging portion 16 between the rollers 26′,26″.

FIG. 5b shows a second part-step of the step 162 of holding, in whichthe projecting packaging portion 16 is drawn in between the rollers 26′,26″. The rollers 26′, 26″ herein are moved in a relative manner towardsone another until they are in contact with the projecting packagingportion 16. The rollers 26′, 26″ in this instance are rotated inopposite directions in order for the projecting packaging portion 16 tobe drawn in therebetween in the transportation direction 20.

FIG. 5c shows an isometric illustration of a third part-step of the step162 of holding, in which the projecting packaging portion 16 is heldbetween the rollers 26′, 26″. The rollers 26′, 26″ herein in a firstdesign embodiment can be mutually compressed in order for the projectingpackaging portion 16 to be jammed therebetween. In one alternativedesign embodiment the rollers 26′, 26″ can be configured so as tocontinuously counter-rotate in order for a uniform and consistenttensile force to thus be exerted on the projecting packaging portion 16.On account of this tensile force, the projecting packaging portion 16can likewise be held between the rollers 26′, 26″. In a further designembodiment, the packaging portion 16 can be held between the rollers26′, 26″ in particular by way of a consistent uniform mutualcounter-rotation of the rollers 26′, 26″ and a mutual compression of therollers 26′, 26″.

FIG. 5d shows an isometric illustration of the step 164 of moving, inwhich the item of packaging 12 and the object 14 by the motioninstallation 24 are moved away from the rollers 26′, 26″, on account ofwhich the projecting packaging portion 16 and a part-region of thedownstream end side 28′ of the item of packaging 12 are stretched.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, and 8 show an embodiment of a folding-out device 60′.The folding-out device 60′ is configured for folding outwards afolded-in packaging portion 16 of an item of packaging 12. An object 14is packed in the item of packaging 12. The folding-out device 60′ has atransportation installation 18, a lifting installation 62, a holdinginstallation 64, and a holding-installation drive installation 68.

The transportation installation 18 is configured for transporting theobject 14 in a transportation direction 20. The item of packaging 12 inrelation to the transportation direction 20 has an upstream end side 28″and a downstream end side 28′. The item of packaging 12 in relation tothe transportation direction 20 furthermore has four longitudinal sides30′, 30″, 30′″, and 30″″. A longitudinal side 30′ that faces thetransportation installation (18) herein faces the transportationinstallation and is at least partially in contact with thetransportation installation 18. The item of packaging 12 by way of thelongitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportation installation (18)accordingly bears on the transportation installation 18. An upperlongitudinal side 30′″ faces away from the transportation installation18. Two lateral longitudinal sides 30″ and 30′″ are disposed laterallyto the transportation installation 18 and lies so as to be substantiallyperpendicular on the transportation installation 18. The packagingportion 16 is connected to the remainder of the item of packaging on thedownstream end side 28′ of the item of packaging 12. The packagingportion 16 initially extends along the downstream end side 28′ in thedirection of the longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 thatfaces the transportation installation (18), and further partially alongthe longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation (18). The packaging portion 16 is thuspartially disposed between the longitudinal side 30′ of the item ofpackaging 12 that faces the transportation installation (18) and thetransportation installation 18. The packaging portion 16 initially isthus folded inwards between the transportation installation 18 and thelongitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation (18). The transportation installation 18 hasa transportation plane 38 on which the object 14 and the item ofpackaging 12 are transported.

The transportation installation 38 furthermore has clearances 40 on thetwo peripheries of the transportation plane 38, such that the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14 bear on the transportation installation18 and on the transportation plane 38 only in a central region.

The lifting installation 62 is configured for raising the object 14conjointly with the item of packaging 12. To this end, the liftinginstallation 62 has a vertical drive 76 for vertically moving the objectperpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The lifting installation62 in the embodiment illustrated furthermore has a clamping installation74 which is configured for therebetween jamming the item of packaging 12and the object 14. To this end, the clamping installation 74 has liftingelements 78′, 78″, and a detent element 80. The lifting elements 78′,78″ are disposed such that said lifting elements 78′, 78″ in a verticalmovement perpendicular to the transportation plane 78 are moved throughthe two clearances 40 of the transportation plane 38. The liftingelements 78′, 78″ have a contact face 82 which come into contact withthe longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation (18). The contact face 82, in particular inan upstream region of the longitudinal side 30′ that faces thetransportation installation (18), herein comes to bear on thelongitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportation installation (18).The vertical drive 76 is configured for moving the lifting elements 78′,78″ perpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The object 14 cantherefore be moved conjointly with the item of packaging 12perpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The detent element 80has a bearing face 84 on which the item of packaging 12 by way of thelongitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from the transportationinstallation (18) comes to bear when clamped. The bearing face 84 hereincomes to bear on the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18) in particular in a downstream region ofthe longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from the transportationinstallation (18). On account thereof, the item of packaging 12 and theobject 14 are held between the lifting elements 78′, 78″ and the detentelement 80. The lifting installation 62 furthermore has a frame 86 whichincludes the detent element 80 and connects the detent element 80 to theremaining components of the lifting installation 62, said remainingcomponents largely being disposed on that side of the transportationinstallation 18 that faces away from the item of packaging (12). Theframe 86, proceeding from the transportation plane 38, has a height 87′which is greater than a height 13′ of the item of packaging 12. It canbe avoided on account thereof that the item of packaging 12 whentransported on the transportation plane 38 comes into contact with thedetent element 80, in particular scrapes along the latter or catches onthe latter. A contact between the item of packaging 12 and the detentelement 80 can be established only when the item of packaging 12 by wayof the lifting elements 78′, 78″ is moved vertically away from thetransportation plane 38 and comes to bear on the detent element 80. Theframe 86 furthermore has a width 87″ which is greater than a width 13″of the item of packaging 12 and is greater than a width 19 of thetransportation installation 18. It can be avoided on account thereofthat the item of packaging 12 when transported laterally comes intocontact with the frame 86, in particular scrapes along the latter orcatches on the latter.

The holding installation 64 has a suction installation 72 which suctionsand holds a region 66 of the item of packaging 12 that is adjacent tothe packaging portion 16. In the embodiment illustrated, the adjacentregion 66 corresponds to a downstream region of the longitudinal side30′″ that faces away from the transportation installation (18). Thesuction installation 72 furthermore has a suction head 90, a hose 88,and an installation for generating a vacuum (not illustrated). Thesuction head 90 bears on the adjacent region 66 in order for the latterto be suctioned. The hose 88 connects the suction head 90 to theinstallation for generating a vacuum (not illustrated). The installationfor generating a vacuum can be a vacuum pump, for example.

The holding-installation drive installation 68 is configured for movingthe suction installation 72 parallel with the transportation direction20. The holding-installation drive installation 68 herein can move thesuction installation counter to the transportation direction when thesuction installation 72 suctions and holds the adjacent region 66 of theitem of packaging 12. On account thereof, the folded-in packagingportion 16 is folded outwards. The holding-installation driveinstallation 68 can furthermore be configured for moving the suctioninstallation 72 by means of a pivoting movement or a lifting movement.

Alternatively to the embodiment of a folding-out device 60′ described inFIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, and 8, it can be provided that the initially folded-inpackaging portion 16 instead of being folded inwards onto that side ofthe item of packaging 12 that faces the transportation installation 18is folded inwards onto the longitudinal side 30′″ of the item ofpackaging 12 that faces away from the transportation installation 18.Accordingly, the holding installation 62 is also disposed on thelongitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation 18 and engages on the longitudinal side 30′of the item of packaging 12 that faces the transportation installation18, wherein the longitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportationinstallation 18 is an adjacent region 66 of the packaging portion 16.The folded-in packaging portion can likewise be folded outwards by wayof such an arrangement.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a method 180′ for folding outwards apackaging part 16 of an item of packaging 12, in particular a pouch, foran object 14, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. Thefolding-out device 60′ which is described in FIGS. 6A to 8 is inparticular suitable for carrying out the method 180′ for foldingoutwards. The object 14 herein is transported in a transportationdirection 20 on a transportation installation 18. The packaging portion16 initially is folded inwards between the transportation installation18 and the item of packaging 12, in particular a longitudinal side 30′of the item of packaging 12 that faces the transportation installation(18). The individual method steps will be described in more detailhereunder.

In a first step 182 the object 14 is raised from the transportationinstallation 18 by a lifting installation 62. The lifting installation62 herein on that side of the item of packaging that faces away from thetransportation installation (18) can have a detent element 80 againstwhich the item of packaging 12 and the object 14 are pushed in theraising 182 of the object 14. The lifting installation 62 is inparticular configured for raising and holding the item of packaging 12of the object 14.

The lifting installation 62 in the step of raising 182 preferably holdsthe item of packaging 12 on at least one lateral face 30′, 30″, 30′″,30″″.

Alternatively or additionally, the lifting installation 62 in the firststep 182 can also raise the transportation installation 18, inparticular the transportation plane 38 of the transportationinstallation 18, at least in the bearing region of the item of packaging12 on the transportation plane 38.

In a second step 184 a region 66 of the item of packaging 12 that isadjacent to the packaging portion 16 is held by a holding installation64. The adjacent region 66 herein corresponds in particular to adownstream region of the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18). The holding installation 64 canpreferably have a suction installation 72 which suctions and holds theadjacent region 66.

The holding installation 64 in the step of holding 184 preferably holdsthe item of packaging 12 on the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces awayfrom the transportation installation (18).

In a third step 186 the holding installation 64 is moved in a direction70 that points away from the packaging portion 16. A tensile force whichdraws the folded-in packaging portion 16 from the folded-in positionthereof between the transport installation 18 and the item of packaging12 and thus folds said folded-in packaging portion 16 outwards isexerted on the folded-in packaging portion 16 in this movement.

The holding device 64 in the step of moving 186 is preferably movedparallel with the transportation direction 20, on account of which thepackaging portion 16 is folded outwards.

FIGS. 10a to 10c show an isometric illustration of the individual methodsteps of the method 180′ for folding outwards the packaging portion 16,said method 180′ being described in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10a shows the step of raising 182, in which the liftinginstallation 62 is disposed on that side of the object 14 that faces thetransportation installation (18) and on account of a movement that isperpendicular to the transportation plane 38 is configured for raisingthe object 14 and the item of packaging 12. In one advantageous designembodiment, the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18) herein is pushed against a detentelement 80. The detent element 80 herein comes into contact with anupstream region of the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from thetransportation installation (18). On account of the lifting installation64 pushing the object 14 and the item of packaging 12 against the detentelement 80, the object 14 and the item of packaging 12 are clamped andheld on account thereof.

FIG. 10b shows an isometric illustration of the step of holding 184, inwhich a suction installation 72 suctions a downstream region of thelongitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from the transportationinstallation (18). The folded-in packaging portion on the downstream endside 28′ is connected to the item of packaging 12. The downstream regionof the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from the transportationinstallation (18) thus corresponds to a region 66 that is adjacent tothe packaging portion 16.

FIG. 10c shows an isometric illustration of the step of moving 186, inwhich the holding installation by means of a holding-installation driveinstallation is moved counter to the transportation direction 20 andaway from the packaging portion 16. The suction installation 72 hereinis in particular moved towards the detent element 80 of the liftinginstallation 62. On account of this movement, the folded-in packagingportion 16 is drawn out from a folded-in position between thetransportation installation 18 and the longitudinal side 30′ that facesthe transportation installation (18) and is folded outwards.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an unpacking system 100. The unpackingsystem 100 has a transportation installation 18, a folding-out device60, a stretching device 10, and a severing device 108.

The folding-out device 60 herein can be formed either by the embodimentof a folding-out device 60′ described in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 8, or by theembodiment of a folding-out device 60″ described in FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15,16.

The transportation installation 18 has a transportation plane 38 onwhich an object 14, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object,is transported. The object is packed in an item of packaging, inparticular a pouch. The item of packaging 12 has a packaging portion 16which initially is folded inwards between the transportationinstallation 18 and the item of packaging 12. The object 14 istransported in a transportation direction 20 on the transportationinstallation 18. The transportation installation 18 is configured fortransporting the packed object 14 towards the folding-out device 60,from the stretching device 10 to the severing device 108, and away fromthe severing device 108. The folding-out device 60 and the stretchingdevice 10 herein are disposed to as to be directly beside one another.The unpacking system 100 herein can in particular have one or aplurality of first movable support holders 102 which configure thelifting installation 64 of the folding-out device 60, and the motioninstallation 24 of the stretching device 10. The unpacking system 100can furthermore in particular have one or a plurality of second movablesupport holders 103 which configure the detent installation 92 of thefolding-out device 60″ and the holding installation 22 of the stretchingdevice 10. The first and the second support holders 102, 103 can inparticular be movable perpendicularly to and/or parallel with thetransportation direction.

In one alternative embodiment it can also be provided that thestretching device 10 and the folding-out device 60 are disposed so as tobe mutually spaced apart, and the transportation installation 18 isconfigured for transporting the object 14 from the folding-out device 60to the stretching device 10.

The severing device 108 has a cutter, a retrieving device, and adiscarding installation. The cutter is disposed such that said cutter ismovable perpendicularly to the transportation direction in order for theprojecting packaging portion 16 to be cut off and for the item ofpackaging 12 thus to be open. In one alternative design embodiment, alaser, a gripping blade, or a thermal separation method such as, forexample, a hot wire or hot air, can also be used instead of the cutterin order for the projecting packaging portion 16 to be severed from theitem of packaging 12. The retrieving installation is configured forretrieving the object 14 from the item of packaging 12, that is to saythat the retrieving installation is thus configured for mutuallyseparating the object 14 and the item of packaging 12. Various methodsfor retrieving an object from an opened item of packaging are known inthe prior art. For example, to this end a holding installation can holdthe item of packaging, and a gripping installation can retrieve theobject from the item of packaging. Alternatively, the object can befixedly held by a holding installation while a gripping installationholds the item of packaging and pulls the item of packaging down fromthe object 14.

The discarding installation is configured for discarding the severedpackaging portion 16 and the remainder of the item of packaging 12. Thetwo separated packaging parts of the item of packaging 12 herein can bediscarded in a mutually separate manner or collectively. For example,the discarding installation to this end can have a furthertransportation installation, for example a conveyor belt, onto which theremainders of the packaging are placed and by which the remainders ofpackaging are transported away from the severing device 108.

The transportation installation can be configured for transporting theunpacked object 14 from the severing device 108 into a cleanroom 124.

By virtue of the special spatial requirements which can be traced back,for example, to limitations by and of the variable space requirements inindustrial sheds, it can be advantageous for the transportationinstallation 18 to not be constructed in a linear manner but insteadhaving deflection portions between the individual devices, thefolding-out device 60, the stretching device 10, and/or the severingdevice 108, and upstream of the folding-out device 60 and downstream ofthe severing device 108, said deflection portions causing a directionalchange of the transportation direction 20.

The transportation installation 18 herein, in particular upstream of thefolding-out device 60, can have a first deflection portion 104 whichcauses a first directional change 106 of the transportation direction20, in particular wherein the first directional change 106 is 90°.

The transportation installation 18 can have a second deflection portion110 between the stretching device 10 and the severing device 108 whichcauses a second directional change 112 of the transportation direction20, in particular wherein the second directional change 112 is 90°.

The transportation installation 18, upstream of, in, or downstream ofthe severing device 108 can have a third deflection portion 114 whichcauses a third directional change 116 of the transportation direction20, in particular wherein the third directional change 116 is 90°.

In one alternative design embodiment of the unpacking system it can beprovided that the unpacking system has a folding-out device 60″ asdescribed in FIGS. 14A to 18C, a stretching device 10 as described inFIGS. 1A to 5D, and a severing device 108 which is identical to thesevering device 108 of the unpacking system 100 described in FIG. 11.

However, the folding-out device 60″ does not have any liftinginstallation, and the stretching device 10 does not have any motioninstallation. Instead, the item of packaging is continuously transporteddownstream in the transportation direction 20 on the transportationinstallation 18.

The unpacking system has a support holder 103 which configures thedetent installation 92 of the folding-out device 60″ and the holdinginstallation 24 of the stretching device 10. The roller 94′ of thedetent installation 92 thus corresponds to the roller 26″ of the holdingdevice 24, and the roller 94″ of the detent installation 92 correspondsto the roller 26″ of the holding device 24.

Such an arrangement of an unpacking system requires that the packagingportion 16 is disposed on the end side of the item of packaging 12 thatlies upstream, and from there extends on to one of the longitudinalsides which either faces of faces away from the transportationinstallation. The rollers 26′, 26″, or 94′, 94″, respectively, arefurthermore configured so as to be movable relative to one another, inorder for the rollers to be mutually spaced apart so far that the itemof packaging 12 can be transported through between the rollers and forone of the rollers to be able to form a detent for the folded-inpackaging portion, on the one hand, and in order for the packagingportion 16 to be clamped and held therebetween, on the other hand.

The functional mode of the alternative unpacking system will bedescribed hereunder.

The object 14 is transported downstream in the transportation direction20 on the transportation installation 18. The rollers 26′, 26″, or 94′,94″, respectively, are mutually spaced apart so far that the item ofpackaging 12 can be guided through between the rollers 26′, 26″, or 94′,94″, respectively. The rollers 26′, 26″, or 94′, 94″, respectively, arebrought to bear on the longitudinal side 30′, 30″ that faces and facesaway from the transportation installation 18. On account thereof, one ofthe rollers forms a detent for the folded-in packaging portion 16. Thetransportation installation 18 transports the object 12 onwards, onaccount of which the packaging portion 16 is pushed on to one of therollers which forms the detent. The packaging portion 16 is foldedoutwards on account thereof. The rollers in this instance are movedrelative to one another in order for the packaging portion 16 to beclamped and held, on account of which the packaging portion 16 isstretched.

The alternative unpacking system preferably has a clamping device whichis configured so as to be movable parallel with as well asperpendicularly to the transportation direction. The clampinginstallation is disposed downstream behind the support holder 103 whichconfigures the detent installation 92 and the holding installation 24.The clamping device therebetween jams the item of packaging 12 and theobject 14 after said object 14 has partially passed the rollers. Inorder for the object 14 and the item of packaging 12 on account thereofnot to be stopped or to be only briefly stopped, the clamping deviceafter clamping moves conjointly with the object downstream in thetransportation direction 20 at a speed which corresponds to theconveying speed of the transportation installation 18. The foldingoutwards and stretching is improved on a account thereof.

FIG. 12A shows a first embodiment of a method 200′ for unpacking anobject 14, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, from anitem of packaging 12, in particular a pouch. The object 14 istransported in a transportation direction 20 on a transportationinstallation 18. A packaging portion 16 of the item of packaging 12initially is folded inwards between the transportation installation 18and the item of packaging 12.

In a step 202, the packaging portion 16 is folded outwards by means ofthe method 180 which is described in FIGS. 9 and 10 a to 10 c.

The method 180 herein can be carried out either by the embodiment of amethod for folding outwards 180′ described in FIG. 9, or by theembodiment of a method for folding outwards 180″ described in FIG. 17.

In a further step 204, the projecting packaging portion 16 is stretchedby means of the method 160 which is described in FIGS. 4 and 5 a to 5 d.

In a further step 206, the projecting packaging portion 16 is severed.

In a further step 208, the object 14 is retrieved from the opened itemof packaging 12.

The individual steps 202 to 208 of the method 200′ for unpacking arepreferably carried out in succession.

FIG. 12 B shows a second embodiment of a method 200″ for unpacking anobject 14, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, from anitem of packaging 12, in particular a pouch. The object 14 istransported in a transportation direction 20 on a transportationinstallation 18. A packaging portion 16 of the item of packaging 12initially is folded inwards between the transportation installation 18and the item of packaging 12. The individual method steps will bedescribed in more detail hereunder.

In a step 210, the object 14 is transported inwards on thetransportation installation 18.

The object 14 in the step 210 of transporting inwards is preferablydeflected in a first deflection portion 104, wherein the transportationdirection 20 is changed, in particular wherein said directional changeis 90°.

In a further step 202, the packaging portion 16 is folded outwards bymeans of the method 180 which is described in FIGS. 9 and 10 a to 10 c.

The method 180 herein can be carried out either by the embodiment of amethod for folding outwards 180′ described in FIG. 9, or by theembodiment of a method for folding outwards 180″ described in FIG. 17.

In a further step 204, the projecting packaging portion 16 is stretchedby means of the method 160 which is described in FIGS. 4 and 5 a to 5 d.

In a further step 212, the object 14 is transported onwards on thetransportation installation 18.

The object 14 in the step 212 of transporting onwards is preferablydeflected in a second deflection portion 110, wherein the transportationdirection 20 is changed, in particular wherein this directional changeis 90°.

In a further step 206, the projecting packaging portion 16 is severed.

In a further step 208, the object 14 is retrieved from the opened itemof packaging 12.

In a further step 214, the object 14 is transported away on thetransportation installation 18.

The object 14 in the step 214 of transporting away or in the step 212 oftransporting onwards is preferably deflected in a third deflectionportion 114 of the transportation installation 18, wherein thetransportation direction 20 is changed, in particular wherein thisdirectional change is 90°.

The object 14 in the step 214 of transporting away is preferablytransported into a cleanroom 124.

The individual steps 210, 202, 204, 212, 206, 208, and 214 of the method200″ for unpacking are preferably carried out in succession.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a filling system 140. Fillingsystems in general are configured for unpacking an object that stores aliquid, for filling, or transferring, respectively, the liquid intocontainers, and for subsequently packing the containers. To this end,the filling systems in most instances have an unpacking device, afilling device, and a packing device.

The filling system 140 described in FIG. 13 has upstream modules 142, anunpacking system 100, and downstream modules 144. The unpacking system100 herein can correspond to the unpacking system 100 described in FIG.11.

The upstream modules 142 can include at least one of the followingmodules:

-   -   an infeed device for infeeding the packed object 14; and    -   a positioning device for positioning the packed object 14 on the        transportation installation 18, wherein the object 14 is        positioned such that the packaging portion 16 in relation to the        transportation direction 20 is disposed on an end side 28′, 28″        of the item of packaging 12 and is folded inwards between the        item of packaging 12 and the transportation installation 18.

The downstream modules 144 can include at least one of the followingmodules:

-   -   An opening device for opening the unpacked objects 14, wherein        the objects 14 on that side thereof that faces away from the        transportation installation (18) can have a protective film/foil        or a lid in particular, wherein the opening device is configured        for tearing off the protective film/foil or for opening the lid;    -   a filling station for filling/transferring a liquid which is        included in the unpacked object 14 into containers, in        particular phials, syringes, etc.;    -   a closing device for closing the filled containers, in        particular with a lid;    -   a packing device for packing the filled containers, and    -   a discharging device for transporting away the filled        containers.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15, and 15 show an embodiment of a folding-out device60″. The folding-out device 60″ is configured for folding outwards afolded-in packaging portion 16 of an item of packaging 12. An object 14is packed in the item of packaging 12. The folding-out device 60″ has atransportation installation 18, a lifting installation 62, and a detentinstallation 92.

The transportation installation 18 is configured for transporting theobject 14 in a transportation direction 20. The item of packaging 12 inrelation to the transportation direction 20 has an upstream end side 28″and a downstream end side 28′. The item of packaging 12 in relation tothe transportation direction 20 furthermore has four longitudinal sides30′, 30″, 30′″, and 30″″. A longitudinal side 30′ that faces thetransportation installation 18 herein faces the transportationinstallation and is at least partially in contact with thetransportation installation 18. The item of packaging 12 by way of thelongitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportation installation 18accordingly bears on the transportation installation 18. An upperlongitudinal side 30′″ faces away from the transportation installation18. Two lateral longitudinal sides 30″ and 30″″ are disposed laterallyto the transportation installation 18 and lie so as to be substantiallyperpendicular on the transportation installation 18.

The packaging portion 16 is connected to the remainder of the item ofpackaging 12 on the downstream end side 28′ of the item of packaging 12.The packaging portion 16 initially extends along the downstream end side28′ in the direction of the longitudinal side 30′ of the item ofpackaging 12 that faces the transportation installation 18 and furtherin part along the longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 thatfaces the transportation installation 18. The packaging portion 16 isthus partially disposed between the longitudinal side 30′ of the item ofpackaging 12 that faces the transportation installation 18 and thetransportation installation 18. The packaging portion 16 is thusinitially folded inwards between the transportation installation 18 andthe longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation 18.

Alternatively, the packaging portion 16 can initially extend along thedownstream end side 28′ in the direction of the longitudinal side 30″ ofthe item of packaging 12 that faces away from the transportationinstallation 18 and further in part along the longitudinal side 30′″ ofthe item of packaging 12 that faces away from the transport installation18. The packaging portion 16 is thus folded inwards onto thelongitudinal side 30′″ of the item of packaging 12 that faces away fromthe transportation installation 18.

The transportation installation 18 has a transportation plane 38 onwhich the object 14 and the item of packaging 12 are transported. Thetransportation installation 18 furthermore has clearances 40 on the twoperipheries of the transportation plane 38 such that the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14 bear on the transportation installation18 and the transportation plane 38 only in a central region.

The lifting installation 62 is configured for raising the object 14conjointly with the item of packaging 12. To this end, the liftinginstallation 62 has a vertical drive 76 for vertically moving the objectperpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The lifting installation62 in the embodiment illustrated furthermore has a clamping installation74 which is configured for therebetween jamming the item of packaging 12and the object 14. The clamping installation 74 to this end has liftingelements 78′, 78″, and a detent element 80. The lifting elements 78′,78″ are disposed such that said lifting elements 78′, 78″ in a verticalmovement perpendicular to the transportation plane 78 are moved throughthe two clearances 40 of the transportation plane 38. The liftingelements 78′, 78″ have a contact face 82 which comes into contact withthe longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 that faces thetransportation installation 18. The contact face 82 herein, inparticular in an upstream region of the longitudinal side 30′ that facesthe transportation installation 18 comes to bear on the longitudinalside 30′ that faces the transportation installation 18. The verticaldrive 76 is configured for moving the lifting elements 78′, 78″perpendicularly to the transportation plane 38. The object 14 conjointlywith the item of packaging 12 is thus movable perpendicularly to thetransportation plane 38. The detent element 80 has a bearing face 84 onwhich the item of packaging 12 by way of the longitudinal side 30′″ thatfaces away from the transportation installation 18 comes to bear whenclamped. The bearing face 84 herein comes to bear on the longitudinalside 30′″ that faces away from the transportation installation 18 inparticular in an upstream region of the longitudinal side 30′″ thatfaces away from the transportation installation 18. On account thereof,the item of packaging 12 and the object 14 are held between the liftingelements 78′, 78″, and the detent element 80. The lifting installation62 furthermore has a frame 86 which includes the detent element 80 andconnects the detent element 80 to the remaining components of thelifting installation 62, said remaining components largely beingdisposed on that side of the transportation installation 18 that facesaway from the item of packaging 12. The frame 86, proceeding from thetransportation plane 38, has a height 87′ which is greater than a height13′ of the item of packaging 12. On account thereof, it can be avoidedthat the item of packaging 12 when transported on the transportationplane 38 comes into contact with the detent element 80, in particularscrapes along the latter or catches on the latter. Contact between theitem of packaging 12 and the detent element 80 can be established onlywhen the item of packaging 12 by way of the lifting elements 78′, 78″ ismoved vertically away from the transportation plane 38 and comes to bearon the detent element 80. The frame 86 furthermore has a width 57″ whichis greater than a width 13″ of the item of packaging 12 and is greaterthan a width 19 of the transportation installation 18. It can be avoidedon account thereof that the item of packaging 12 when transportedlaterally comes into contact with the frame 86, in particular scrapesalong the latter or catches on the latter.

The detent installation 92 is configured for forming a detent for thepackaging portion 16. The detent installation 92 to this end has tworollers 94′, 94″, wherein a first roller 94′ of the rollers 94′, 94″ isdisposed on the longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 thatfaces the transportation installation 18, and a second roller 94″ of therollers 94′, 94″ is disposed on the longitudinal side 30′″ of the itemof packaging 12 that faces away from the transportation installation 18.Depending on which of the longitudinal sides the packaging portion isdisposed, either the first or the second roller 94′, 94″ forms a detentfor the folded-in packaging portion 16. The detent installation 92furthermore has a translatory roller drive installation 96 which canmove the rollers 94′, 94″ relative to one another and perpendicularly tothe transportation direction 20.

Alternatively, the detent installation 92 can have only one roller 94.The roller 94 is disposed on that longitudinal side 30′, 30′″ onto whichthe packaging portion 16 is folded inwards.

FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of a method 180″ for folding outwardsa packaging part 16 of an item of packaging 12, in particular a pouch,for an object 14, in particular pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. Thefolding-out device 60′ which is described in FIGS. 14A to 16 is inparticular suitable for carrying out the method 180″ for foldingoutwards. The object 14 herein is transported in a transportationdirection 20 on a transportation installation 18.

The packaging portion 16 can initially be folded inwards between thetransportation installation 18 and the item of packaging 12, inparticular a longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 thatfaces the transportation installation 18. Alternatively, the packagingportion 16 initially can also be folded inwards onto the longitudinalside 30′″ of the item of packaging 12 that faces away from thetransportation installation 18. The individual method steps will bedescribed in more detail hereunder.

In a first step 182, the object 14 is raised from the transportationinstallation 18 by a lifting installation 62. The lifting installation62 herein on that side of the item of packaging that faces away from thetransportation installation 18 can have a detent element 80 againstwhich the item of packaging 12 and the object 14 in the raising 182 ofthe object 14 are pushed. The lifting installation 62, on accountthereof, is in particular configured for raising and holding the item ofpackaging 12 and the object 14.

The lifting installation 62 in the step of raising 182 preferably holdsthe item of packaging 12 on at least one lateral face 30′, 30″, 30′″,30″″.

Alternatively or additionally, the lifting installation 62 in the firststep 182 can also raise the transportation installation 18, inparticular the transportation plane 38 of the transportationinstallation 18, at least in the bearing region of the item of packaging12 on the transportation plane 38.

In a second step 188, the lifting installation 62 and the detentinstallation 92 are moved relative to one another parallel with thetransportation direction 20 in such a manner that the item of packaging12 at least in portions is disposed on the detent installation 92,wherein a roller 94 of the detent installation 92 is disposed on alongitudinal side 30′, 30′″ of the item of packaging 12 in order for adetent for the packaging portion 16 to be formed.

The roller 94 prior to the step of moving 188 is preferably disposedsuch that the item of packaging 12 can at least partially pass theroller 94.

The roller 94 prior to the step of moving 188 is preferably disposedsuch that the roller 94 after the relative movement 188 bears on thelongitudinal side of the item of packaging 12 on which the packagingportion 16 is folded inwards and forms a detent for the folded-inpackaging portion 16.

Alternatively, the roller can also be disposed such that the roller 94after the relative movement 188 is disposed on that side of the item ofpackaging 12 on which the packaging portion 16 is folded inwards and isnot in contact with the item of packaging 12. The detent installation 92can have a drive installation which moves the roller 94 perpendicularlyto the transportation direction 20 and conveys the roller 94 so as to bein contact with the item of packaging and in this instance forms adetent for the folded-in packaging portion 16.

Additionally or alternatively, the detent installation 92 can have tworollers 94′, 94″, wherein a first roller 94′ of the rollers 94′, 94″ isdisposed on the longitudinal side 30′ of the item of packaging 12 thatfaces the transportation installation 18, and a second roller 94″ of therollers 94′, 94″ is disposed on the longitudinal side 30′″ of the itemof packaging 12 that faces away from the transportation installation 18.

In this case, the rollers 94′, 94″ prior to the step of moving 188 aredisposed such that the spacing between the rollers 94′, 94″ is so largethat the item of packaging 12 can be moved relative to the rollers 94′,94″ and through the latter. That roller of the rollers 94′, 94″ that isdisposed on the longitudinal side onto which the packaging portion 16 isfolded inwards is disposed such that said roller forms a detent for thepackaging portion 16.

In a third step 190 the lifting installation 62 and the detentinstallation 92 are moved relative to one another parallel with thetransportation direction 20 in such a manner that the folded-inpackaging portion 16 is folded outwards. The folded-in packaging part 16herein by means of the roller is pushed along the longitudinal side onwhich the packaging portion is disposed and, on account thereof, isfolded outwards.

FIGS. 18A to 18C show an isometric illustration of the individual methodsteps of the method 180″ for folding outwards the packaging portion 16,said method 180″ being described in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18A shows the step of raising 182, in which the liftinginstallation 62 is disposed on that side of the object 14 that faces thetransportation installation 18 and on account of a movementperpendicular to the transportation plane 38 is configured for raisingthe object 14 and the item of packaging 12. In one advantageous designembodiment the longitudinal side 30′″ that herein faces away from thetransportation installation 18 is pushed against a detent element 80.The detent element 80 herein comes into contact with an upstream regionof the longitudinal side 30′″ that faces away from the transportationinstallation 18. On account of the lifting installation 64 pushing theobject 14 and the item of packaging 12 against the detent element 80,the object 14 and the item of packaging 12 are clamped and held onaccount thereof.

FIG. 18B shows an isometric illustration of the step of the firstrelative movement 188, in which the object 14 and the item of packaging12 are moved through between the rollers 94′, 94″ so far until therollers 94′, 94″ are disposed upstream of the packaging portion 16. Theobject herein by means of the lifting installation is moved downstreamin the transportation direction 20. Prior to this step, the rollers 94′,94″ are mutually spaced apart so far that the item of packaging 12 canbe guided through between the rollers 94′, 94″. After the step ofrelative movement 188 the rollers 94′, 94″ downstream of the packagingportion 16 bear on the item of packaging 12, wherein the first roller94′ bears on the longitudinal side 30′ that faces the transportationinstallation, and the second roller 94″ bears on the longitudinal side30′″ that faces away from the transportation installation. The roller94′ forms a detent for the packaging portion 16.

FIG. 18C shows an isometric illustration of the step of the secondrelative movement 190, in which the object 14 and the item of packaging12 are moved parallel with the transportation direction 20 such that thepackaging portion 16 is moved against the roller 94″, comes to bear onthe roller 94″, and on account of the object 14 and the item ofpackaging 12 being moved onwards is folded outwards in this direction.To this end, the object in the example of FIG. 18C by means of thelifting installation is moved upstream counter to the transportationdirection 20. After the folding outwards, the rollers 94′, 94″ canoptionally be moved relative to one another such that said rollers 94′,94″ clamp the folded-out packaging portion. The packaging portion 16 inthis instance can be stretched in a manner analogous to the embodimentsof the stretching device 10 and to the method 160 for stretching fromFIGS. 1A to 5D. It can be provided in particular that the detentinstallation 92 of the folding-out device 60″ is identical to theholding installation 24 of the stretching device 10, and the rollers94′, 94″ are identical to the rollers 26″, 26′.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one ormore preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention isnot limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but ratheris defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statementscontained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodimentsand are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the inventionor on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term orphrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and variouschanges and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments,changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of theappended claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,”“e.g.,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs“comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, whenused in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or otheritems, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listingis not to be considered as excluding other, additional components oritems. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonablemeaning unless they are used in a context that requires a differentinterpretation.

1. A folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of anitem of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has atransportation installation for transporting the object in atransportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object,and a detent installation, wherein the detent installation has at leastone roller which is disposed so as to be perpendicular to thetransportation direction and which is disposed on that side of the itemof packaging that faces away from or faces the transportationinstallation and forms a detent for the folded-in packaging portion, andwherein the lifting installation and/or the detent installation are/isconfigured so as to be movable parallel with the transportationdirection in order for the object and the detent installation to bemoved relative to one another.
 2. The folding-out device according toclaim 1, wherein the packaging portion initially is folded inwardsbetween the transportation installation and the item of packaging, or isfolded inwards onto that side of the item of packaging that faces awayfrom the transportation installation.
 3. The folding-out deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the lifting installation is disposed onthat side of the transportation installation that faces away from theitem of packaging.
 4. The folding-out device according to claim 3,wherein a transportation plane of the transportation installation has atleast one clearance, wherein the lifting installation is configured forengaging through the clearance in order for the object to be raised. 5.The folding-out device according to claim 3, wherein the liftinginstallation is configured for raising a transportation plane of thetransportation installation, at least in the bearing region of the itemof packaging on the transportation plane, in order for the object to beraised.
 6. The folding-out device according to claim 1, wherein thelifting installation is configured such that the latter holds the itemof packaging on at least one longitudinal side.
 7. The folding-outdevice according to claim 1, wherein the lifting installation has atleast one clamping installation or suction installation for holding theitem of packaging.
 8. The folding-out device according to claim 1,wherein the detent installation has exactly two rollers, wherein a firstroller of the two rollers is disposed on the longitudinal side of theitem of packaging that faces the transportation installation, and asecond roller of the two rollers is disposed on the longitudinal side ofthe item of packaging that faces away from the transportationinstallation.
 9. The folding-out device according to claim 8, whereinthe rollers are movable relative to one another.
 10. The folding-outdevice according to claim 1, wherein the lifting installation has ahorizontal drive which is configured for moving the lifting installationparallel with the transportation direction, counter to thetransportation direction.
 11. A method for folding outwards a packagingportion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the object on atransportation installation is transported in a transportationdirection, wherein the method comprises the following method steps:raising the object with a lifting installation; first moving the liftinginstallation and/or a detent installation parallel with thetransportation direction in such a manner that at least a portion of theitem of packaging is disposed on the detent installation, wherein aroller of the detent installation is disposed on a longitudinal side ofthe item of packaging in order for a detent for the packaging portion tobe formed; and second moving the lifting installation relative to thedetent installation and parallel with the transportation direction insuch a manner that the folded-in packaging portion is folded outwards.12. An unpacking system for unpacking an item of packaging for anobject, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portionwhich is disposed on an upstream end side of the item of packaging,wherein the unpacking system has a transportation installation fortransporting the object in a transportation direction, and a holdinginstallation for holding the projecting packaging portion, wherein theholding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so asto be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which areconfigured for folding outwards and/or stretching the projectingpackaging portion.
 13. A method for unpacking an object from an item ofpackaging, wherein the object on a transportation installation istransported in a transportation direction, wherein the item of packaginghas a folded-in packaging portion which is disposed on an upstream endside of the item of packaging and extends on a longitudinal side thatfaces or faces away from the transportation installation, wherein themethod comprises the following method steps: bringing to bear tworollers on the item of packaging, the two rollers are disposed so as tobe perpendicular to the transportation direction and are mutuallyparallel, one of the two rollers is disposed on a longitudinal side ofthe item of packaging that faces the transportation installation, andanother of the two rollers is disposed on a longitudinal side of theitem of packaging that faces away from the transportation installation,in order for a detent for the projecting packaging portion to be formedin such a manner that the projecting packaging portion is foldedoutwards; holding the projecting packaging portion between the tworollers in order for the projecting packaging portion to be stretched;severing the projecting packaging portion; and retrieving the objectfrom the item of packaging.